Vintage Charm in the Country - Georgie & Ben's Celebration

Ever wondered what it would be like to take over an entire village for your wedding day? Well English lovebirds Georgie and Ben did just that. The pair dreamed of a wedding at home but when the logistics didn't quite work out they chose the next best place, Tissington Hall ,just a hop skip and jump away from home. The excitement and fun that followed was infectious around the village of Derbyshire creating a whole village worth of love and support for the couple. The stunning photographs by the talented Jess Petrie tell the beautiful tale...

How did these lovebirds get together? Well it's a rather funny version of many get togethers I've heard over the years, Georgie take it away...We met in December 2009 when best friend and bridesmaid Katie took me to an old school friend's (Ben) Christmas house party in Brixton. Apparently we had once already met years ago when Ben visited Katie at our student house, but I doesn't remember (Ben does, which is awkward!) Despite wearing a shiny red "fashion" jacket, bombarding me with construction ( work related) chat and telling me he was tooootally thinking of moving to Buenos Aires to find himself, Ben must have made a silent impression on me, as I accepted the first date invite to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park just a few days later after Katie secretly passed on her number!

Sometimes men get it in their heads that they are going to propose and nothing will stop them. Not rain, hail or in Ben's case rather a lot of sunshine...We flew out to Singapore to spend Christmas with my sister Poppy and her family who were living out there at the time. On Boxing Day a very smart, shifty Ben then got down on one knee in a pegoda in the Botanical Garden's Orchid Garden, and popped the question to a very sweaty, unsuspecting Georgie (who's rapidly dissolving make-up had been applied by her nine-year-old Niece just hours before) with a beautiful solitaire ring he designed in Hatton Garden, London. A Singapore hotel rooftop cocktail followed, then back to the ecstatic family for bubbles and New Year then spent in Vietnam with close friends.

From the start Georgie and Ben's wedding was a big family affair with people milling around everywhere, pouring champers, helping with makeup, adjusting hair, laughing and joking. The excitement was quite literally bubbling over in anticipation for the day ahead.

I can't think of anything better than a big gang of girls getting ready together on the morning of a wedding and Georgie had just that with her bestest pals taking over her parent's sitting room with lipsticks, brushes and mirrors - the works!

Oh yes, there is a groom awaitin'! After a morning of fun it was time to put the finishing touches on gorgeous bride Georgie. I think there was one or two people (or ten) around to help...

Georgie choose a stunning Jesus Peiro wedding dress with lace detail. We are big fans of the designer at One Fab Day and recently featured the fabulous designs in a Bridal Stuff We Love. If you like what you see you'll be delighted to know that Jesus Peiro is stocked in The White Room in Mullingar!

I think her Georgie's gown got the thumbs up from the girls!

With all the hustle and bustle going on up the road in Georgie's house, things were a little calmer with Ben and his groomsmen who enjoyed a few drinks before the ceremony. While Ben donned a dark navy suit he lighted up the look with a pale blue waistcoat and blue polka dot tie, very country gent chic!

The pair choose Georgie's local church, St Mary's Church, in Tissington to have their ceremony and judging from the snaps it's set in the most stunning woodland forest, a very romantic setting.

I love these photographs capturing the sweetest moments between Georgie and her father on the way to walk her down the aisle.

We will be forever grateful to Revd. Adam Watkinson, he made our service so special, warm and fun, and we were incredibly lucky that he married us.

Ben's brother Pip sang during the ceremony and it was very special we can't ever thank him enough for his time, and for braving a throat infection and wisdom teeth issues while still sounding awesome!

It's official!

There certainly are some glamorous guests at Georgie and Ben's wedding, no showing the bride up ladies!

After the ceremony, Ben's groomsmen arranged shots of sloe gin as the newlyweds and guests left church. Georgie said it set the celebrations off to a good start ( I'm sure it did!) The pair didn't mention this was a family tradition, so I think the guys just started one, it is one epic way to head off to the reception I must say!

Our best friends and family filled Derbyshire that weekend with the most wonderful, loving and excited buzz, we were so lucky. We spent so much time in the village that we felt completely at home and everything that we sourced from there made it so special - the sweets, the lanterns (heavenly hours spent in shops researching!)

Georgie and Ben dabbled with the idea of getting married in Georgie's family home, but it wasn't to be. So they set about finding the same homely vibe close by... Meeting Co-ordinator Phoebe Skeen Smith on a chilly day in late Jan, and sitting around the fire in the lovely old hall of Tissington, sipping tea and chatting about our day immediately felt right. We were just a few minutes from home, and whilst it would have been lovely to get married at my family house, it just wasn't possible (we live on a hill for a start!) Tissington just felt so homely and perfect to both Ben and I from the word go. I still don't think I've thanked Phoebe enough for everything.

How cute are these three flower girls, floral crowns and mini bouquets too!

Looking good guys, the celebrations are well and truly in full swing!

Georgie's gorgeous gals were dressed in soft lilac grey dresses from Maids To Measure. I just love the sheer neckline and stunning over sized bow detail at the back!

While the over all colours on the day were soft and muted, Georgie brought elements of colour through in her bouquet with lilacs, purples, peach and orange.

With grounds are beautiful as Tissington's, the newlyweds headed off for a photo shoot with the lovely Jess Petrie.

There's always time for a bit of fun with these two...

With a beautiful country house as the back drop, Georgie and Ben added vintage touches into their decor using beautiful old lanterns and soft muted florals.

My best old friend Ro put together my flowers and helped with lots of decor additions. We had lots of silly bits that might have seemed a bit strange to people at first (like badges instead of name places), my brother honked an old car horn every time he made an announcement and we danced our first dance to INXS, but it was us.

Our priorities were to have a relaxed, fun, celebratory day in the countryside. We both grew up in the countryside and love rustic, vintage vibes but we wanted a day that was also very naturally us, so we just went for it really, and it all fell in place thanks to the fun support and generosity of our parents and the brill, talented people we pestered along the way!

Georgie and Ben kept to a mainly white palette but added beautiful blooms to the tablecentre pieces to bring in colour.

What advice would you give to brides and grooms planning their day? I would say give yourselves enough time to plan the perfect big key elements (venue, food etc) so you can really enjoy all the finer details together and make them very much part of you as a pair. Not everyone might think wedding planning will be their thing, but it can be ridiculously fun if you ease into it together - it's your first little adventure as Mr & Mrs! And being a team is what it's all about. It's the most important thing, and the reason why you're getting married in the first place, and from early plans to the big day itself - and beyond - I loved every second of becoming a Mrs.

Congratulations Georgie and Ben on your gorgeous country celebration. A huge thanks goes to Jess Petrie for sharing her work with us at One Fab Day, to see more of Jess' work pop over to www.jesspetrie.com